The Daily Countable:

Good Tuesday morning, friends,
Two big things to tell you about, this fine day:

Countable's brilliant code-squirrels have been hard at work for months, building new ways for you to follow particular topics and influence the political process. We've built Issue Action Centers, and we're excited to show them to you. Watch this space for more info!

The Daily Countable is now hitting your inbox much earlier in the day, and that's by design.
We at Countable are changing things up in direct response to your excellent feedback -- so thank you. We're a small team with big ideals… and, above all, we appreciate your honest feedback about how we're doing.
(As always, please send any feedback to me, Countable's Managing Editor, Andrea Seabrook: andrea [at] countable.us)

On the Radar

In recent days young people have organized marches, challenged legislators, and mobilized their friends over mobile phones. This begs the question: should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?
In case you were wondering, there is precedent for lowering the statutory voting age: during the Viet Nam War, the U.S. lowered the minimum voting age from 21- to 18-years-old.
Is it again time to lower the voting age?Head here to tell us - and more importantly your Reps - what you think.

Under the Radar

The House is considering legislation aimed at combating sex trafficking. But some in the tech industry are worried that one of the proposed changes could make website owners responsible for the material their users post, forcing them to police user content. Click here to read why the Electronic Frontier Foundation says this "new Frankenstein's Monster of a bill would be a disaster for Internet intermediaries, marginalized communities, and even trafficking victims themselves."

Your Gov at a Glance 👀

The White House: President Trump in DC

The president will meet with GOP senators on renewable fuel standards, before receiving the Boy Scouts of America Report to the Nation.

He will then meet with House GOP lawmakers about trade, and then he will make an announcement regarding additional leadership in the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders will host a press briefing at 2pm ET.

The House of Representatives: In Session

Voting on a bill to make it a federal crime for websites to promote prostitution or sex trafficking.

Voting on a bill to prohibit financial regulators from imposing capital requirements on banks unless they're based on current risks and potential future losses, rather than on their historic losses.

Starting debate on a bill to make financial regulators' periodic reviews of current rules more frequent and expansive. A final vote will not occur this week.

Issues to Follow

Orgs to Follow

Ever since I've downloaded this app, I have never been more educated in politics and, in general, the world around me. This app has shown me multiple perspectives of any issue without any of the "noise." This has got to be one of the best apps anyone can download. I've been recommending this to everyone I know.

Awesome Work Folks!!! Tell the Squirrels to keep finding us new and more interesting Political Nuts 🥜. The Future of Politics is (for better or worse) anchored now in Digital Space. We CANNOT let that space be Controlled and Corrupted by Misinformation and Malice...

I too feel so much better informed. I had gotten lazy about government, not happy but felt I couldn’t take the time to figure things out. With this app I can see what’s going on learn about it and also read pro and con opinions . Comments from both sides often help me to better understand an issue. Sometimes it feels like it’s pointless to send comments to my reps or even vote when the GOP disregards anything said by their constituents. I still do though most of the time because it does make me feel like I have a voice in the matter. Thank you for providing this really awesome app. I tell everyone about it!

Thank you for keeping us informed and giving us a voice. I love that you also weigh in on why nay or yea. It gives the reader things to think about. One of the best features is that I can weigh in without bots or rebuttals.

I love this app and use it daily to tell my Representative exactly how I feel.
One thing that irritates me is in calling our Reps & Senators, they use stupid phrases like
"please leave a message with your thoughts, comments, views, opinions or statements"
I remind them that They Work For Us "We The People," They even swore an Oath of Office to Protect and Defend OUR CONSTITUTION that's clearly states that this is a Government for the People and by the People.
So, when we are calling them, it is with "JOB DIRECTIVES" that we damn sure EXPECT them to accomplish & quickly.
They are NOTHING MORE THAN PUBLIC SERVANTS who are Supposed to be WORKING FOR ALL AMERICANS, NOT JUST THE ENTITLED ASSES SUCH AS THEMSELVES, THE TOP 2% and or Corporations.
I think that all of us who use Countable should make that completely clear when we write or call them.
They make way too much money, have far more Vacations and the lovely Golden Parachute that has "We The People" taking caring of them with a pension & lifelong Health Care after serving only two terms in office.
And they have the audacity to call US "ENTITLED!"ARRRGGHH THEY MAKE ME SO ANGRY by continuing to TAKE FROM THE 98% OF US.
Bust them Countable Users and let's take OUR GOVERNMENT BACK.

This app has allowed me to be better informed on issues, policies and our reps/politicians and parties..how they vote and who is wavering plus the history....I am more informed this election year than last....thank you.

Good evening fellow COUNTABLE Participants.
I’d like to take the opportunity of crossing across political lines, in hoping to determine if we can be seeing a more professional expressions of political rhetoric, between participants.
* I’m one for the following of folks, to get different political persuasions, & getting differing views on political topics.
* Some folks can be counted on to spread their hatred rhetoric each and every posting. And what’s the point of the constant use of vulgar and negative 👎🏻 language. It just belittles the commentary being put forth. Their common response is, if you don’t likely, then don’t read it.
* Why don’t we be seeing, more comments that offer compromise of views, across political party lines. I suspect that many folks opinion is one of “It’s their way or the highway” and nay the the tween shall sadly meet.
* We need more OPEN discussions on subjects such as:
* Pork Barrel Politics.
* Governmental Checks & Balances.
* Governmental Give Away Programs.
We we just need more open commentary, free of
derogatory negative comments, and more opportunities of crossing party lines to obtain a consensus of views. The use of derogatory rhetoric only goes to show that the spewing forth of slanderous shows that the individuals doing so, are not even willing to consider the compromise of ideas. 2*28*18.

I feel compelled to echo everyone else's kudos. This site has helped me understand much better what the various committees do and gives me a chance to contact my Rep and Senators regarding any upcoming vote as well as showing me to hold them accountable for their votes.
Most importantly, I often find myself sharing information directly from Countable to my Facebook friends and Twitter followers. Thank you so much for all you're doing!!!
LET'S ALL HELP INCREASE COUNTABLE'S USE SO WE CAN MAKE OUR DEMOCRACY WORK FOR US AGAIN!!!

No. I do do not think the majority of 21 yr olds hold the maturity to vote with logic and conscience let alone a 16 yr old. It’s obviously a political ploy to tap into another demographic which would throw an election another way. If they simply want more people to vote Better would be making voting compulsory unless an approved absence keeps you from the polls. I fully agree in this day and age that you should produce some form of photo ID and have your name checked off the rolls. I also think when you get your ssn you are on the rolls fir life unless you give up the right for a handful of good reasons or die. The Vietnam era reduction to 18 was because at 18 those poor kids were being sent to their deaths without even a vote. There is no valid reason for a further reduction in line with that.

Hello, thank you for your time, in light of recent events the young people of our society have proven their merit,pose, and ability to make a mature opinion about the politics they see going on around them. This has proven with thing such as social media the youth of our country are more informed then they ever have been. This informative generation deserves the right to express their opinion through voting. We have been making changes the older generation never has been able to and this we should be able to vote. The law needs change so 16 year olds can vote so this young generation can change the laws that need it.

The next blue wave battle is less than two weeks away. On March 13th PA-18 will vote whether or not to restore balance to our government. 🌈Please, in the meantime, do everything you can to help support Conor Lamb and bring to light his opponents lack of integrity. 🥁Post on social media, go on journalistic websites. Dem or not, the earliest hope WE THE PEOPLE have to restore congressional balance is Conor Lamb. 🌎PS Thanks Countable for listening 👂

If the federal government wants control over primary education, let’s start with teacher pay and benefits. Across the United States teachers pay should begin at $65,000.00 with full insurance coverage benefits. Sure they may have to pay their share. If the federal government is setting educational requirements such as no child left behind then cough up enough money to cover teacher wages and benefits. As far as school administrators they earn WAY to much money for what they do. Right along with school board administrators.

Repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. Preventing gun manufacturers and dealers from being sued? Why does Big Government has to interfere with free commerce? Repeal this Act and let the people decide! Let the families of all the victims in this country go after them. Additionally, make a bill that if you sell more than one gun every five years, you are are, in fact, a dealer. If you open the floodgates, and let the people go after the arms manufactures, there is no need, for now, to amend again the 2nd amendment or attempt any kind of gun legislation.
Nor should we get distracted from the issue. Guns are the matter. The NRA and its followers use all kind of subterfuges to just gain time. Their strategy is to give up small steps using subterfuges to derail the real issue: guns. It may take many, many years, but at the end, the people will prevail and they know it.